Identification: Houseplant Name Help: Woody Stem, Distinctive (Toothed?) Leaf Shape! from IKEA

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by elsoar, Jul 1, 2009.

  1. elsoar

    elsoar Member

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    Hello,

    I'm applying for a phytosanitary certificate to bring my houseplants to the US, and have done a fairly decent job on identifying about 13 of them, but one has me stumped. It's likely some kind of tropical plant, and it was bought at IKEA in Montreal several years ago. Its stem is green towards the top, but woody near the roots. Its leaves are green and the edges are sort of scalloped or teethed or whatever you call it. New growth shoots up quite regularly and is yellowish turning green. I'm attaching here a few photos and would really appreciate some with it. I've looked at loads of pictures all night last night - ficus, laurus, even considered impatiens although I don't think it flowers! It's the leaf shape that is quite distinctive and I can't find a picture of anything like it.

    The first picture shows the whole plant; the second shows the new growth among the other leaves; and the third and fourth are close ups on the bumps, or teeth or whatever you want to call them of the leaves. Note that this plant is unfortunately a favorite snack for my cats and the bare spots on the stem, as well as the leaves that do not come to a point at the end, are the result of that, rather than a natural feature.

    Please help.
     

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  2. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    Might be Ardisia crenata, Coral Berry.
     
  3. elsoar

    elsoar Member

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    That's wonderful - thank you so much! My plant has definitely never had berries, but it is young and I'm sure it is stressed by the cats, so that could explain it. The leaves definitely do look similar, that makes it good enough for my phytosanitary certificate application in my book!
     

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